Google Unveils Gboard Conveyor Belt Keyboard With Keys That Never Stop Moving

Google Japan has turned typing into a waiting game with its latest Gboard creation: a bizarre conveyor belt keyboard where the keys keep moving instead of staying in place. The Gboard Conveyor Belt Version is the 15th entry in Google Japan’s series of unusual keyboard concepts, and while it is not a product you can buy, Google has released enough files to let hardware enthusiasts try building one themselves.

The keyboard stands upright and uses four moving belts, with each belt carrying 29 keys. Users place a hand near the bottom of the device and press a key when it eventually rotates into position. That sounds amusing for a few seconds, but typing a normal sentence would quickly become an exercise in patience since every required letter has to make its way around the belt first.

The concept continues a tradition that Google Japan originally associated with April Fools’ Day. The team later moved its annual keyboard joke to October 1, referencing the 101-key layout commonly associated with computer keyboards.

Google is also treating the idea with the same playful approach in its documentation. The company suggests building a second unit for two-handed typing, while possible variations include different colors, a high-speed mode, and versions with longer or shorter belts.

There is no commercial launch planned. Google’s GitHub repository specifically describes the project as unofficial, but the company has provided several of the files needed to experiment with the hardware. The project includes 3D-printable STL files, KiCad board data and firmware.

According to the build information, the Conveyor Belt Version requires 157 printed parts and 116 Kailh Choc V1 low-profile switches. An M5Stack AtomS3 Lite serves as the controller, while a single 6V N20 gear motor drives all four belts.

The project is not completely finished yet. The currently documented version is the motorized “Moving Keys Edition,” while documentation for the board and a functional Bluetooth keyboard version is still marked as coming soon. As a result, anyone attempting to reproduce the project may have to wait for additional files or work out some of the missing details themselves.

Still, the Gboard Conveyor Belt Version is an entertaining departure from conventional keyboard designs. It takes one of the most familiar pieces of PC hardware and removes mfob users normally expect: stationary keys.

Specification